Highland Cascade continues stable good form

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

HIGHLAND CASCADE won well at Chester last Friday to continue the current good form of the stable. She is owned by Jim Ratcliffe, who transports all the Park Lodge runners to the races. He is a very lucky owner and this win was particularly pleasing as he also bred the filly. Her next run is likely to be at Ayr next Tuesday in another fillies only, 6 furlong handicap. There is good prizemoney on offer and there is also a breeder’s prize so if she could win this it would be a good payday. She just wouldn’t want the ground too fast so rain is needed in Scotland before then.

Tomorrow at Lingfield, ELM’S SCHOOL BOY finally gets a chance to run as he has been balloted out so many times. He is running in a maiden race on the polytrack, not the ideal race for him but he desperately needs a run to find out a bit more about him. RAFFISH is also running there but on the turf. He would have a good chance as it is an easier race than he has contested before, it is a 0-60 classified stakes race and he is rated 60 so it is a very suitable race for him. Ideally he would want softer ground especially as he is stepping down in trip to 10 furlongs but hopefully in this grade of race he will run well.

ORCADIAN is running at Newmarket on Friday in a conditions race over 12 furlongs. The conditions of the race are ideal for him as he does not get a penalty for his group success last season. All his best form is on soft ground but he does handle fast ground so he could run well.

WELCOME STRANGER is entered in a Listed race over 10 furlongs at Newbury on Saturday. It is a bit of an experiment running him over this distance as he has tried twice before without success. There were genuine excuses for those defeats and in his races he does look as if he will stay further. He always runs well at Newbury and if the ground is fast you could not rule him out.